EBSCO databases have long used “alerts” to help you keep track of new materials that interest you. Now they’ve begun delivering those alerts via RSS feeds.
Users can now create an Alert directly
from the Result List, Search History, or the Publication list. Create
instant RSS feed Alerts by clicking on the orange RSS Feed icons.
What does this mean? It means you can create a search in any EBSCO database, grab the resulting RSS feed, and get information sent to you about new materials that have been added to that database that fit your search criteria. And without having to re-do your search every time.
(If you need an RSS reader, we recommend Google Reader or Bloglines.)
Butler Libraries currently subscribe to over 35 different EBSCO databases, including Academic Search Premier, Business Source Complete, ERIC, MasterFILE Premier, MEDLINE, Newspaper Source, PsycARTICLES, and SocINDEX with Full Text.
Reference Desk
I had a community patron inquiring about translation assistance for a newspaper article written in German. While I directed him to the Modern Languages department here, in a subsequent telephone conversation with Fred Yaniga, he said that they are not always able to directly help with such requests – due to the time it takes to properly translate materials. Also, students usually don’t have the proficiency needed to do an adequate translation. So, while it is okay to occasionally direct such patrons to their department, they may only be able to recommend local translation services – which we, at the desk, can help the patron to locate as well.
All:
Cardboard boxes are now being
regularly picked-up for recycling. If you want a box recycled, write
“recycling” on the box and place it near your trash receptacles. To ensure that boxes that you want do not get picked accidently for recycling or disposal, write “save” on them. – Heather & Sally
Computers in the library labs are regularly rebooted to clear off profiles and keep them running smoothly. When profiles are deleted, that includes all the MyDocuments folders that anyone has used on that machine. End Result: Local folders (including anything on the C: drive) are NOT a safe place to save your documents.
Instead, use BUFiles!
All Butler students, faculty, and staff are given some network space on BUFiles that they can access from any computer on the network. This is your own personal space that no one else has access to. It’s much safer, more secure, and more convenient than using the My Documents folder on any machine in a lab. Use BUFiles for storing all your assignments, papers, and other important documents. You can typically get to this folder by opening your H: drive under My Computer.
If you need more assistance working with BUFiles, visit the Networking & Accounts page on I.R.’s website.
It’s Fall 2007 and time for an update/reminder about Reference Desk procedures.
We’re still keeping track of Reference Transactions and doing counts of people in the Reference Dept. (not the rest of the first floor–just those who have passed the Reference Desk) every half-past the hour. This process uses the Excel workbook called “Reference Tracking.” There is a shortcut to this workbook on the RefDesk desktop.
We have begun tracking usage of Reference books again this year. There is another Excel workbook being used for this and it has a shortcut on the RefDesk desktop called “REFERENCE USAGE STUDY.” Just make sure the active cell is in the “A” column and in the first open cell (at the bottom of the list) and then scan away. The handheld barcode scanner at the Reference Desk is used for this. Please shelve any books you scan. Better to not scan than to scan and not shelve, since the books will get unwittingly rescanned. If anything is unclear, please just leave books on tables or the Shelving Cart.
The new printers in Reference are called IL_120_K and are a little touchy. To ensure smooth operations, keep an eye on the three lights near the menu screen. The left light should always be green, since it’s the “Ready” light; if it’s not green, push the green “Go” button. The second light (“Data”) is green if the printer is processing any print jobs. The third light is “Attention” and blinks reddish orange if there’s a problem. Typically, it’s flashing because a paper tray is empty. There are four paper trays in these printers, so they’ll hold up to 2,000 pages. If one or two are empty, that’s fine. If you DO add paper to the printers, please make sure the tray is totally empty and then add one full ream. Too much paper in a tray can cause jams.
If anyone brings us a copy of an assignment, we have a blue manila folder at the Reference Desk specifically for keeping assignments.
There have also been some computer changes in Reference. There are six new iMac computers along the row by the windows. The six PCs that were there are now in IL119, which is our technology classroom and (when no class is in session) is being used for overflow when the Reference Dept. lab is full, which will usually be only in the evenings. The remaining lab-type computers around the library are now located in:
- Basement – (1) near the newspapers
- 1st floor group workstations – (1) in the back of Reference and (2) in Current Periodicals
- 2nd floor – (1) A-D, (1) HM-L, and (1) the Listening Room
- 3rd floor – (1) P-PR
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